Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 3, 2026

High-throughput Screening for Broad-spectrum Chemical Inhibitors of RNA Viruses
Published on: May 5, 2014
Bioproduction of biomacromolecules for antiviral applications
Alexander J Connor1, Runye H Zha1, Mattheos Koffas1
1Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA.
Abstract:
The societal damage brought on by viral epidemics indicates that next-generation antiviral treatments must be developed and deployed. Biomacromolecules are a diverse class of compounds that can potentially exhibit potent antiviral activity. Their efficacy and mechanisms of action are dependent upon multiple structural factors, including molecular weight, degree and position of sulfation, and backbone stereochemistry. Extracting biomacromolecules from animals and plants for healthcare applications is undesirable, as these methods are unable to yield products with well-defined chemical structures. Modern advances utilizing recombinant microbes and metabolic pathway engineering can be a key step towards large-scale bioproduction of tailored biomacromolecules for targeted antiviral applications.
Related Concept Videos
Vaccine Production
Inhibitors of Viral Protein Synthesis
Antiviral Nucleoside Inhibitors
Inhibitors of Virion Maturation and Assembly

